September 10, 2025
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) recently awarded Education One at Trine University a $5,000 grant to support its Trine Pals Literacy Program. This local grant is a part of more than $3.5 million recently awarded to nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools in Dollar General’s hometown communities across the country to help extend a brighter future for K-12 students.
The Trine Pals program currently serves approximately 150 third-grade students statewide, offering support in letter writing, communication, and reading skills. Through letter writing and in-person visits, Trine University students provide extended literacy instruction, encouragement, and role modeling that enhance classroom learning. A key feature of the program is the distribution of books which enables students, many of whom have limited access to reading materials at home, to build personal libraries that reinforce their learning.
“We are thrilled to continue our Trine Pals Literacy Program through this grant,” said Emily Gaskill, Executive Director of Education One. “This program not only strengthens literacy skills for young learners but also inspires them to dream about their future in higher education. The impact of pairing college mentors with elementary students is powerful, and we are proud to support such transformative work.”
Trine University students also benefit from the program, gaining valuable opportunities to serve as role models and give back to their communities. By aligning with state standards and delivering engaging literacy activities, Trine Pals has become a cornerstone of Education One’s commitment to supporting student success across Indiana.
“As the immense need for accessible educational materials and resources for our country’s youth continues, we are proud to provide vital support to local literacy programs,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “The Dollar General Literacy Foundation believes every investment in the education of a young student is an investment in a brighter future. We are grateful to the local schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations that are serving students and helping them thrive.”
To learn more about Education One, visit https://www.trine.edu/education-one/.
About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $275 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 23.8 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. Each year, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides financial support to schools, nonprofit organizations and libraries within a 15-mile radius of Dollar General stores and distribution centers. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation or apply for a literacy grant, visit www.dgliteracy.org.
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